Method of and apparatus for inserting draw cords in bags



A. C. EVVER ETAL, METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR INSERTING July 26,1949

. DRAW CORDS IN BAGS Filed Sept. 23, 1947 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 MGM, W64). W,

July 26, 1949. A. c. EWER ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR INSERTING DRAW CORDS IN BAGS 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 23, 1947 July 26, 1949. A c EWER ET AL. 2,4779053 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR INSERTING DRAW CORDS IN BAGS 23, 1947 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept.

Q \S QS mm, m 3 mm v .l II E mm km m mg 5m man my hm A. C. EWER ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR INSERTING July 26, 1949.

DRAW CORDS IN BAGS 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 23, 3.947

MW, W M

2,477,053 ING July 26, 1949. A. c. EWER ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR INSERT DRAW CORDS IN BAGS 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 23, 1947 July 26, 1949.

Filed Sept. 25. 1947 A. C. EWER ETAL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR INSERTING DRAW CORDS IN BAGS 8 Shee ts-Sheet 6 2/5 W a. M,

M m A M 2,477,053 ING July 26, 1949. A. c. EWER ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR INSERT DRAW CORDS IN BAGS 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIG.

FIG. l4.

FIG. 16.

July 26, 1949.

DRAW CORDS IN BAGS 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Sept. 23, 1947 an LU] 1 m kg- $5 \mwm 2 mm? No? 0 E? Sn QM En nun on R g Q km 8w 1 QQN i? Q? w OE n r 2 1% LT Patented July 26, 1949 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR INSERTING DRAW CORDS IN BAGS Arthur C. Ewer, Brooklyn, and Robert W. Hanse, Merrick, N. $1., assignors to Bemis Bro. Bag ilompany, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application September 23, 1947, Serial No. 775,720

12 Claims.

This invention relates to methods of and apparatus for inserting draw cords in bags, more particularly to methods and apparatus of this class for converting prefabricated bags to draw cord bags.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a method of and apparatus for inserting a draw cord through the fabric of a bag adjacent its mouth to provide a draw cord closure for the bag; the provision of a method and apparatus of the class described for the conversion of prefabricated bags to draw cord bags wherein the draw cord may be held to pull it tight at any point along its length; and the provision of apparatus for the purpose described which is reliable, easy and safe to operate, and capable of a high rate of production. Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, steps and sequence of steps, features of construction and manipulation, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures and methods hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which oneof various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a bag having portions of its fabric adjacent its mouth gathered to form pleats, in accordance with an initial phase of the method of this invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are end views of the mouth and of the bag illustrating successive steps in the method of inserting a draw cord in the bag;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the finished draw cord ba Fig. 5 is a front elevation of an apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the apparatus;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged section taken on line l'l of Fig. 6, showing parts in their operative positions, and omitting a guard;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially on line 8-4! of Fig. 6, showing the guard;

Fig. 9 is an end elevation of Fig. 8 viewed from its left, parts being broken away and shown in section;

Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken substantially on line Ill-l0 of Fig. 8, omitting the guard;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged plan view of a needle unit;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line l2-l2 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken on of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a vertical section taken on line l4-I4 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a view on a reduced scale of Fig. 13 as viewed from its right;

Figs. 16 and 17 are enlarged horizontal and vertical sections, respectively, of the eye end of the lower needle of the needle unit; and,

Fig. 18 is a piping and wiring diagram.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, Figs. 1-4 illustrate the essential method of this invention for inserting a draw cord in a bag. Fig. 1 illustrates a prefabricated bag I, such as an open-mesh fabric fruit or vegetable bag, having the usual inturned side seams 3, and. a bottom fold 5. The first step in the method of this invention comprises gathering the portions of the bag fabric in opposite side walls of the bag adjacent its mouth to form two sets of pleats, as illustrated at 'l and 9 in Figs. 1-4.

A needle I l,herein illustrated as a hollow needle having an eye l3 at its pointed end, is threaded with cord l5, drawn from a supply (not shown), and thrust completely through the set of pleats I, to thread the cord therethrough. It will be understood that the free end of the cord initially extends from within the hollow needle out through its eye I3. A second needle l'i having an eye l9, herein illustrated as an open-ended slot adjacent the pointed end of the needle, is thrust completely through the other set of pleats 9. Needle I1 is initially unthreaded. The free end of the cord I5 is then drawn out of needle I I, and threaded into the eye I9 of needle ll (Fig. 2). This is accomplished simply by hooking the cord into the open-ended slot forming the eye.

Both needles are then pulled back out-of the two sets of pleats, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Needle ll pulls a length of cord from the supply through the hollow needle H, and draws it through the upper and lower sets of pleats l and 9 to provide a length of cord loosely interwoven with the bag fabric adjacent the mouth of the bag.

The cord [5 is then cut at a point adjacent the pointed end of needle I I, so as to leave this needle threaded. The end of the cord'caught in the eye IQ of needle I! is then pulled out of the eye and secured as by a staple 2| (Fig.4) to the trailing line l3-l3 table 33 to the right of the pleating device 3I as viewed in Figs. 5-7. The needles 3! and 39 of the needle unit are mounted at their rearward end-s in a slide block IOI. This block has sliding bearing upon a pair of horizontal guide rods I03, opposite ends of which are fixed in brackets I05 and I01 mounted on the table top. The slide block and needles carried thereby are mounted for reciprocatory movement transverse to the pleating pins. The upper needle 31 is carried in such position that, upon movement of the slide block to the left as viewed in Fig. 5, it will be thrust through the upper set of pleats of the bag fabric between the upper fixed and movable pleating pins. The lower needle 39 is carried in such position that it will be simultaneously thrust through the lower set of pleats of the bag fabric between the lower fixed and movable pleating pins.

The slide block, and the needles carried thereby, are advanced (moved to the left) and retracted (moved to the right) by means of a double-acting air cylinder I09. The cylinder is mounted upon the right end of the table top. Its piston rod I I I extends through an aperture in the right-hand bracket I01 and is fixed to the slide block.

The upper needle 31 is hollow throughout its length except for its pointed end H3. It has an elongate eye H5 adjacent its pointed end. The rear end of the needle is fixed in an aperture I I1 which extends completely through the slide block IOI as by means of a set screw H9. The arrangement is such that a cord C may be threaded through the needle from a supply spool (not shown) with its end extending outward through the eye H5.

The lower needle 39 comprises a rod I2I having a point I23 at its forward end (Figs, 16 and 11). Rearward of the point the rod I2I is fiattened, as indicated at I25, and this flattened portion is formed with an open-ended slot or eye I21 directed toward the point. The rear end of the rod I2I is fixed in the slide block II. A tube or sleeve I29 is slidable on the rod I2I. This sleeve is somewhat shorter than the rod so as to be capable of some lost motion with respect to the rod. Its forward end is slotted, as indicated at I3 I, to receive the flattened portion I25 of the rod when the sleeve is moved to the left relative to the rod. The rear end of the rod I2I is fixed to the vertical leg I33 of an L-shaped slider I35. The horizontal leg I31 of this slider is guided for horizontal sliding movement in the guideway I39 of a guide block I II fixed to the bottom of the slide block I I. A guide pin I43 extends through an aperture in the upper end of the vertical leg I33 of the slider. A compression spring I44, coiled around this pin and reacting from the slide block IOI, biases the slider to the left.

The rearward end of the horizontal leg I31 of the slider has a slot I45 for the reception of the upper end of a trip lever I41. The latter is pivoted at IE9 in the guide block I II with its lower end extending below the guide block for engagement by an adjustably fixed stop II (Fig. 5). The stop comprises a screw adjustably threaded in a bracket I53 fixed on the table top just forward of the bracket I01.

The above-described arrangement is such that when air under pressure is admitted to the left end and exhausted from the right end of cylinder I09, the slide block II and the needles are retracted to their right-hand limiting positionas viewed in Fig. 5. In this position, the lower end of trip lever I41 has engaged the stop I5I and rocked clockwise so that its upper end has pushed the slider I35 and the tube I29 to the right relative to the rod I2I so that the left end of the tube clears the needle eye I21. When air under pressure is admitted to the right end and exhausted from the left end of cylinder I09, the slide block and needles are advanced to the left to their lefthand limiting position, shown in Fig. '1. The needles extend slidably through upper and lower apertures I55 and I51 in the left-hand bracket I95 and through guides I59 and I6I aligned with these apertures.

During the initial phase of movement of the slide block to the left, trip lever I41 moves away from stop I5! and hence the slider I35 and tube I29 are biased to the left relative to rod I2I by spring I 14 so that the left end of the tube closes the needle eye I21. During the final phaseof movement of the slide block to the left, the guide pin I 13 enters an aperture I53 in bracket I05, the slider strikes the bracket, and is biased thereby back to the right. This moves the tube I29 to the right to open up the needle eye I21 so that it may be threaded. Means for controlling the supply and exhaust of air from opposite ends of cylinder 1199 will be described subsequently.

The cord cutting and stapling device 4| (Figs. 12-15) comprises the head unit I1I of a conventional wire stapling machine of the type which receives wire from a spool I12, cuts it into staple lengths, and forms and drives the staples. This stapling head unit is mounted above the table top intermediate the pleating device 3| and the needle unit 35 on a vertical mounting plate I13. Plate I10 is fixed to one side of a horizontal mounting plate I15 which is fixed to the table top and extends rearward therefrom. The plane of plate I13 is transverse to the length of the table and it is located to the rear of the table top, extending above and below the latter.

The construction and operation of the stapling head unit are well-known and will not be detailed, but it is to be noted that the unit includes a housing I11 wherein a plunger I19 is vertically reciprocable. The plunger is guided by means of guides I8I which slide in guideways I83 formed in the housing. The plunger is coupled by links I84 and I813 to a staple-driving member I85 to drive the latter downward to drive a staple upon downward movement of the plunger from its retracted position of Fig. 13, and to retract the staple-driving member upon upward return movement to the Fig. 13 position.

The plunger I19 has a pin it! thereon, connected by a link I89 to an eccentric crank pin ISI on a crank wheel I93. The latter is keyed on a shaft I journalled in the vertical plate I13. This shaft extends through the plate and is also journalled at its right end, as viewed in Fig. 13, in a journal plate I91 fixed to and spaced from the right of the upper part of the plate I13. A gear I99 is keyed on shaft I95 between plates I13 and I91. This gear is in mesh with a gear Zilikeyed on a'shaft 203 journalled in plates I13 and I91.

The shaft extends out of plate I91. A link 205 is keyed at one end to the extending end of the shaft. The link is pivotally connected at its other end, as indicated at 201, to the piston rod 299 of a duoble-acting air cylinder 2I I. The latter is pivoted at its lower end, as indicated at 2I3, in a bracket 2I5 fastened to the lower end of vertical mountinsplate I13.

piston we 1 mini-the air cylinder 2i I is" normally iiiits ietfeetee position oi Figs. 13 and '15. When air is; admittedto the lower iid i the. cylinder and exhausted from; its unper end, thepislion rocl inevesfupwamh This roekslihk 265 and rotates "gear 205 counterclockwise:,es viewedin'Fig. 15, and rotates gear tee: an "crank wheel riel. clockwise as viewed in Figiieeihd counterclockwise es Viewed iii Fig. l2} Crank wheel. 91; ectingwthro'ugh" the" link Ede-, thereupeni drives thefpiimger Fi -arid the sfiaplemrivi'ngf member IEEddwnWardQ When eir'is admitted toithupper end; of the. cylinder endveahausied from its lower ehd, tne kinematic motions'of these elements are reversed and they are returned to their normal retracted positions.

"The staple-driving member [85 is positioned for vertical reciprocation transverse to the path of-itheneedles 3'! and 353, andinteree oting that hath. As the member E85 moves downward-1,51 siapleaclinching. anvil bioek 2H; havingan anvil 218 at its 'iipper end, moves upward to meet it. This: block is mounted for vertical. sliding move ment in a, tubular guide, generally designated 219; This guide comprises front and ree plates 22! and 223, and a pair of side plates'225 fee 7 tened by screws 221w the side edges of'the from and reai plates. The front and rearplates have mounting plate H lay-screws 233. V

The guide 1* l e extendsdownwerd through apertures in the'horizontalwplate HE and the table top. 'It extends upward to a heightsomewliat above-the path of the lower needle'eje, come quentiy its side plates 225 sire iiotoiied at thii upper ends,vas indicated at 235, to provide clear since for this needle.

'7 Theaa'rivil block 2i? has a projection 23:91 "the left side of its upper end, as viewed in Fig; '13. This-projection has a cord-g'iiid-ilrig groove 23;} in its upper end. The right side of the anv il block is notched out, as indicated at 2M in Fig-J3.

provides ei'n'overlienging portion 243"Whieh is by a cam-operated mechanism actuated-l by' the air cylinder '2. As illustrated in Fig. 12; this mechanism includes a, cam 25: keyea'oh a cam shaft 253 journalled in the plates H3 and I91. A gem-1255 is fixed on shaft 253 between these plates; inmes'h with the gear {01. "The dam actii'ates 'a. cam followerlink 251-, Whih' has two (3am followers 259 and 231 engagingthecam b'ejriphefiy at points spaced 180, so that it is moved VII iii)

positively by the cam in both' 'di-rtloris; L'Ihe follower link is retained in pos-i'tion ind'fii'd'ed fof' oscillation by a. pin 253 brbjectii'igfi oin can:

shaigft 2 53 through an elongate slot 265 the 1in I 1 r The'foll'ow'er link 2511s pivotally connected at its lower end, as indicated at 261, to one end of a double rocking. lever 269. The latter is'iiivb'te'd at 211 in the lower end or a bracket 213 depend- 7 n: from the horizontal plate 115. other endlofrtherocking lever is pivoted iii-i215 iofihe 7 lower end or a link 211i 'iheueper-enei Grime-1%- 'As illustrated in -Fi' "eieei'iierswiiiememove eii by-ineans or parer being iijitefiyonneoid lit-2191;; the lower iido'f tneahi iwloeh nti r e The-em ts humans: havethe position illusirefied ih' Figs; 1245; When the piston rod-209 of aireyliiider: 2H moves upward, gear 255 mm cam 25l rotate"eouhierclockwise as viewed in Fig; 12; The c m is develo ed ana phased 'fi drive link 251: downward upon sfieh :rotaiion. This ioks the levef 269 counterclockwis as viewed Fig; 12 'anci,-through link "211; drives the anvil Eileen. i-ipwerii iomeeiihe dewi-icon ing i s'tapi dfivifig member 185. When the piston rod isfi eheei e, the'paitsietlirn to their init atedmoves iiiiwfiidgit aiiproaehes the-elam'p bar 241,

whienisihiiielly eiisea dowhwerd iri-to .erie'ege mg *clev'ice iii position for stapling; 'Iheieach' of cord extending Ir'omihe upper needle to iih e bag fs e'ilii by 'a; knife iifl substentie lly'silnuiliane 285 phrou gh which the upper' -ndle fifofthe eed-1e uhi'iitravels in. theceurse bifilis ieeipr'ocaiiiii lower endor the guide 'bldck 282 is; notched out; as indicated at 286, for pii's'sageeof this'neeale J'The' knife blade 28 lnormally has a position Wheiiil its lower 'cuttingedg is above the a ertuieise. When moved downwerd from ihispnsiiio ii; buts theoo'rd exiendingihrough this aperture fromihe eye of the upper needle to the ba' b y shearing eeiioii'egaiiisfihe lower weee p r mew' i i i i knife blede" 2811s fixeafl aiih -iewer end of :i stein 281 The letter a need 288' at'its iie ierena. neohipressioh "'sprl'r' i 2 89 boileda'i -eund ohe stem, reac'iihe ai itslciwere d againsi' the gilide 5180:1528? end at ts s e need; normally bias its normal position in engagement wi -iwp ii of Sb'fiili 298' (Fi'gfli); 1601') 29f exte fids' upwfii'd mm the. head 23s around the pin 187i oi plunger" in. "*When the plunger] 191 moves downward to tame-e siiodider 293' of; the plunger (Fig;

es the head :83 emdrlves in againstsioi szse eiihef by-spring 289', by; er.- eage z' eht ei-i e 'pin 'l'si w th he upper endlef ege- 291; i tii-kn jammed by lint or dir i i {"fII-i Fleeting de ce 3: ispreferably-pr vided with a "safefiy guard;

prises-a mate s 'e-l', i'irei'e'riabl of-iranspar nvplas. no "ched asihdieated jupper eiiiiage-insi he knife upWardfO,

V I V i V A 7 knife downwara egeinsi ihebies of spring-289m ct v i he oord. Whenihe'pii nger moves upward, the

' 'toits-retracted lpbsition pi sjf the-*pleatlne V V rounds-the; i ppfif end of V allel links 1301 and 309 The latter are pivoted at their lower ends :in the sides of the guides 43. The arrangement is such that the guard is held upward in retracted position by the upper movable pleating .fingers when these fingers are in their raised, retracted position, and the pleating device is ready to receive a bag. Otherwise, the guard is lowered. A switch-operating rod 311 projects downward from the lower edge of the .guard plate 331 in line with a recess 313 in the table top. When the guard is in its lowered position, this rod engages and closes a switch sit: mounted in the recess below the table top.

Means for controlling operation of the pleating device 31, needle unit 35 and cutting and stapling device 41 in proper sequence are shown in Fig. 18. Compressed air at proper pressure is supplied from a suitable source (not shown) to the apparatus through a main supply or manifold pipe 321. A pipe 323 connects the manifold 325 to the inlet of a pedal-operated four-way valve 325. This valve is of a conventional type adapted in the raised position of its pedal 321 to connect the valve inlet to one .of its ports 329 and to connect its other port 331 to exhaust, and in the depressed position of its pedal to connect the inlet to port .331 and to connect port 329 to exhaust.

The port 329 of the pedal-operated valve 325 is connected by a line 333 including a solenoid valve 335 and a speed control valve 331 to the lower end of air cylinder 11. The port 323 of valve 325 is also connected by a: line 339 including a speed control valve 341 to the left end of air cylinder 109. The port 331 of the pedal-operated valve is connected by a line 343 including a solenoid valve 345 and a speedcontrol valve 341 to the upper end of air cylinder 11. The port 331 is also connected by a line 349 including a. solenoid valve 351 and a speed control valve 353 to the right end of air cylinder 109.

A pipe 355 connects the manifold 321 to the main inlet of a time-controlled, three-way pilot valve 351. This valve is of a conventional type having an outlet port 359 normally connected to exhaust, but connected to the main inlet for flow of air under pressure through the valve upon actuation thereof. The valve is actuated by an impulse of air through a control inlet 361. Air entering the valve through the control inlet is bled off through an adjustable bleeder outlet 353. r

The valve remains open for communication from its main inlet to its outlet 359 for a length of time determined by the period required for air to bleed off through 363, then automatically closes off the main inlet and vents the outlet 359 to exhaust.

The outlet 359 of the pilot valve 351 is connected by a pipe 3.65 to the control inlet 36'! of a pressure-actuated'four way valve 399. This valve is of a conventional type adapted normally to connect its main inlet 311 to an outlet ort 313 and to vent another outlet port 315 to exhaust. When actuated by pressure through pipe 335 and its control inlet 361, it connects the main inlet 311 to outlet port 315 and vents port 313 to exhaust. The main inlet 311 receives air through a pipe 316 connected to manifold 321.

The outlet port 813 is-connected by a line 317 including a speed control valve 319 to the upper end of air cylinder 211. The outlet port 315 is connected by a line 301 including a speed control valve 383 to the lower end of air cylinder 211. The arrangement is such that when there is no pressure in pipe 355, valve 359 is set to supply air under pressure through line 311 to the upper end of cylinder 21 1 and to vent the lower end of the cylinder to exhaust through line 381. This retracts the piston rod 209-ofcylinder111.. When pressure is supplied to control inlet 361 of the four-way valve 369 through pipe 36.5, valve 369 is set to supply air under pressure through line 331 to the lower end of cylinder 91.1 and to vent the upper end of the cylinder to exhaust through line 311. v

The pilot valve .351 is controlled by a normally closed, tripper-operated control valve 385. Manifold pipe 321 is connected to the inlet of thiscontrol valve. Its outlet is connected by a line 1381 to the control inlet 361 of the pilot valve 351. Control valve 385 has a pivoted operating lever 389 positioned for engagement by a. pivoted tripper 391. The valve 385 is mounted on a supporting plate 393 fixed to the table top (Figs. 6 and 11). The tripper is pivoted on a bracket 395 fixed to the slide block 101 of the needle unit. The tripper is biased counterclockwise, as viewed in Figs. -6 and 11, by a suitable spring 395 (Fig. 11) to an outwardly extending tripping position against a fixed stop 391 extending upward .Irom bracket 395. The tripper may trip freely in clockwise direction. The valve 385 is locatedfor operation by the tripper as the slide block 101, in moving to the right, nears its retractedposition. When the slide block moves to the left from its retracted position, the tripper engages the valveoperating lever 389, but does not. move it to actuate the valve 385, since the tripper thereupon freely trips clockwise againstthe bias of its spring.

The solenoid valve 351 is connected in series across a suitable electrical power supply P with three switches, one of which is the previously mentioned guard-controlled switch 315, the other two of which are designated. 431 and 403. Switch 491 is mounted upon the bracket 31 for actuation by the rocking lever 85 at the completion of an advancing stroke of the piston rod 02 of air cylinder 11 (Fig. 5). Thus, switch 401 is closed only when the upper and lower movable pleating pins 69 and 61 have been advanced to pleating position, and is otherwise open. Switch 403 is mounted upon the upper end of air cylinder 2 for actuation by a finger 405 extending from piston rod. 209 when the latter is in its-lowered, retracted position (Figs. 13 and 15). As. previously described, switch 315 is closed only when guard 299 is lowered. The circuit including solenoid valve 35! and the switches 315, 401 and 403 is designated 401. All three switches must be closed before this circuit is completed and solenoid valve 351 is energized and opened.

The solenoid valves 335 and 345 are under the control of a switch 409 positioned for actuation by the slide block 101 of the needle unit in its retracted position. As illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 11, switch 409 may be mounted upon one of the guide rods 103 in position for engagement by the slide block in its right-hand limiting position. One terminal of the solenoid of valve 335 and one terminal of the solenoid of valve 345 are connected by a wire 41 1. The other terminals of the solenoids are connected by wires 413 and 415, respectively, to one side of the power supply P. The switch 409 is connected in a line 411 which connects wire 41 l and the other side of the Power supply. It will be seen that when switch 409 is closed both valves 335and' 34B are energized and opened.

Operation is as follows:

Initially, the piston rods 02, 111 and 209 of air cylinders 11, 199 and 211, respectively, are all retracted, the pedal 321 of pedal-operated valve 11 325 being raised. The movable pleating pins 61 and 59 of pleating device 3| ,the slide block I01 and needles 31 and 39 of needle unit 35, and the plunger I19 and anvil block 2I1 of the cord cutting and stapling 'device' ll are all in their retracted positionsja's illustratedin Figs. 8-15. Switches 40I'and3l5 are open, switches 433 and 409 are closed. A cord C is threaded throughthe upper hollow needle-31 from a supply spool (not shown) the end of the cord extending out through the eye I I5 of this needle;

The operator first places a bag I upon the fixed pleating pins 6| and 63, opening up the mouth of the bag andthru'stingit over the wedge-shaped guide 13 and thejfixed pleating pins to a position wherein that portion ofthe bag fabric adjacent the mouth of the'ba'g' loosely surrounds the pins 9i and 33, "as illustrated in Fig. 10. The operator then depresses the pedal 321 of the pedaloperated valve 325. This places the inlet of the valve incommunication' with its port 33I and connects its port. 329' toiexhaust. Compressed air'is' therefore supplied to lines 343 and 349. Since switch 409 is n'oWfclosied, both'solenoid valves 335 and 34 5 areenergized and open. Cornpressed air'is therefore supplied through line 393 to the upper end ofaircylinder'11. Thelower end of the cylinder'is vented through line 333 and valve port 329." Since both switches 49I and 3i5 are now open; solenoid'valve 35I is 'deenergized and closed. Passage of air through line 3 29 to the right end of air "cylinder I09 i therefore blocked.

The piston rod 82 is now driven downward. This rocks the rocking lever 85 to the dotted-line position of Figs.'5 'aIid 18, thereby pulling down the plate "55 and pleating pins 69 thereon and driving up the movable plate 53 and pleating pins 31' thereon to'their pleatingpositions, illustrated in Fig. '1. As the movable pins 61 and 69 move to their pleating positions; they engage the bag fabric between the fixed pleating pins 53 and BI and loop it into the two sets of pleats 1' and 9.

As the piston rod 82 reaches its lower limiting position, rocking lever 85 closes switch 41. The guard 299 also pivots downward under its own weight, since it rests-on the upper movable pleating pins 69. This closes switch 3 I5. Since switch 403 is now closed, the circuit 401 for solenoid valve 35I is completed, and this valve 35I is opened. This admits compressed air through line 349 to the right end of cylinder I09. The left end of cylinder I09 is vented through line 339 and valve port 329 to exhaust (the operator continuing to hold the pedal 321 dow'n'). Piston rod III, slide block I M and needles 31 and 39 are thereby driven to the left to the limitin position illustrated in Fig. 7. The upper needle 31, threaded with the cord C, is driven through the upper set of pleats 1. The lower needle which is not threaded at this time, is driven through the lower set of pleats 9.

If the operator should inadvertently fail to V withdraw her handjfrom the pleating device before depressing the pedal 321, her hand will nec-. essarily hold the guard 299 raised. Switch 3I5 will therefore be open, solenoid valve 35I will be deenergized and closed, and the needles will'not advance untilthe operator withdraws her hand to permit the guard to lower. This protects the operator from injury by the needles, which travel rapidly.

As the slide block IOI travels to the left away from its retracted position, the tripper'39l engages but' does not operate the valve lever 389, tripping clockwise as previously described. As

12 the slide block approaches its left-handlimiting position, the slider I35 strikes bracket I05 and is moved to the right relative to the lower needle 39. This moves tube I29 to the right relative to needle 39, opening up its eye I21 so that it may be threaded.

The operator, still holding the pedal 321 depressed, now grasps the end of the cord C ex-= tending from the eye II5 of upper needle 31 and threads it through the eye I 21 of the lower'needle. This is quickly accomplished by hooking the cord into the eye.

The operator then releases the pedal 321. Since switch 409 is now open, slide block ItI hav-- ing previously traveled away from the switch, both solenoid valves 335 and 345 are deenergized and closed, and releasing the'pedal has no effect upon cylinder 11 at thistime. 'Solenoid valve 35I, however, is energized and open, since all threeswitches 40I, M5 and 403 are closed. With pedal 321 raised, valve 325 is set to place its inlet in communication with its port 329 and its port 33I to exhaust. Compressed air is therefore supplied to'lines 339 and 333. Air in line 333 is blocked, however, by solenoid valve 335, which is closed. Air is supplied through line 339 to the left end of cylinder I09 and vented from the right end of the cylinder through line 349 (valve 351 being open) and port 33I 'of' valve 325. This retracts the piston III, the slide block NH and the needles 31 and 39 to their retracted, righthand limiting position wherein'the needles are withdrawn fromthe pleats. f r

As the slide block IOI moves to the right away from'bracket I05, the slider' I35 and tube I 29 are biased by spring I44 to the left relative to the lower needle so that the end of the cord C is clamped in eye I21 by the left end of the tube (note Figs, 16 and 17). Consequently, as the needles are withdrawn from the pleats, the lower needle pulls the cord through the pleats loosely to interweave it with the bag fabric adjacent the mouth of the bag. 1 r

The upper needle 31 is retracted through the aperture 285 so that the upper reach of the cord C extends from the bag through the aperture to the eye of the upper needle (Fig. 13). The lower needle 39 is retracted through the slots 235 in the upper end of guide 2I9 and between'the upper end of the anvil block 2H and the cordclamping bar 241, so that the lower reach of the cord C extends from' the bag between the anvil block and the bar' 241 to the eye of the lower needle39. j I 7 As the slide block IOI approaches its right hand limiting position, the trip lever I91 strikes the stop I5I. This rotates the trip lever clockwise tuates the valve lever 389 momentarily to open the valve 385. This delivers an impulse of air through line 381 and the control inlet 36! to pilot valve 351. This sets the pilot valve to deliver air from pipe 355 through the pilot valve outlet 359 and pipe 365 to the control inlet 361 of pressureactuated valve 369. The pressure of this air sets valve 369 to supply air through line 38I to the 13 lower end of air cylinder 2| I and to vent the upper end of the cylinder through line 317 to exhaust.

Piston rod 209 thereupon moves upward. This causes the staple-driving member I85 to move downward and the anvil block 2!! to move upward, as previously described. The upper and lower reaches of cord C are brought together over the staple-clinching anvil 218 and are secured together by the staple 2| which is driven by member I85 and clinched in the clinching groove of the anvil. The reaches of cord are guided into proper position for stapling by the cord-guiding groove 239. Simultaneously, the knife 28! is driven downward, in the manner previously de scribed, to shear the upper reach of cord at the lower edge of aperture 285. This leaves an end of the cord extending out of the eye N5 of the upper needle 31, so that this needle remains threaded for the next cycle of operation.

As the anvil block 2|? moves upward to meet the staple-driving member [85, the lower reach of cord C is clamped by the clamping bar 241 against the upper end of the anvil block. This holds the cord in fixed position for staple-clinching purposes.

As soon as air has bled out through the bleeder outlet 363 of pilot valve 351, the latter automatically resets to exhaust the air in line 355. This reverses fiow directions in lines 311 and 38! and retracts the piston rod 209 of cylinder 2! I. The valve 385 is so located and the timing of pilot valve 363 is so adjusted that the piston rod 253 makes a full stroke (advance and return) to operate the cutting and stapling device and to restore the parts thereof to their initial retracted positions all within the time interval that it takes tripper 3Sl to move from its position of engagement with lever 389 to its right hand limiting position.

When the slide block Nil has been fully retracted to its right hand limiting position, it recloses switch 489. This completes the circuit for solenoid valves 335 and 345. Since the pedal 32'! of pedal-operated valve 325 is now raised, air is supplied from the valve port 329 through line 333 to the lower end of cylinder ll. Air is exhausted from the upper end of the cylinder ll through line 343 and the port 33l of valvefiffi, This retracts the piston rod 82 and, consequently, retracts the lower and upper movable pleating pins 61 and 69 to their position of Figs. 8-10.

All the parts are now restored to their initial retracted positions. The operator then pulls the completed draw cord bag out of the pleating device, and is thenready to apply another has to the pleating device and to operate the apparatus through another cycle, in the manner above described.

Thus, the apparatus of this invention is adapted for the rapid conversion of prefabricated bags to draw cord bags. The only manual operations required are the placing of a bag in the pleating device, the operation of the pedal 321, the threading of the cord in the eye of the lower needle 39, the release of the pedal, and the rernoval of the completed bag. It will be understood that automatic operation of the cord cutting and stapling device may be omitted and that cutting and stapling may be performed manually, if high speed production is not essential. It is contemplated that the ends of the draw cord may be fastened together other than by stapling. Other ways of fastening'together the ends of the draw cord, either manually or automatically, will be apparent.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. The method of inserting a draw cord in a prefabricated bag, comprising the steps of gathering a portion of the bag material adjacent the mouth or the bag to form a first set of pleats, gathering another portion of the bag material adjacent the mouth of the bag to form a second set of pleats, thrusting a needle having an eye adjacent its point and threaded with a cord through the first set of pleats, thrusting a second needle having an eye adjacent its point through the second set of pleats, then threading the end of the cord extending from the eye of the first needle in the eye of the second needle, withdrawing both needles from the pleats to pull the cord through the pleats, and securing together the ends of the cord.

2. The method of inserting a draw cord in a prefabricated bag, comprisingthe steps of gathering a portion of the bag fabric adjacent the mouth of the bag to form a first set of pleats, gathering another portion of the bag fabric adjacent the mouth of the bag to form a second set of pleats, thrusting a needle having an eye adjacent its point and threaded with a cord through the first set of pleats, thrusting a second needle having an eye adjacent its point through the second set of pleats, then threading the end of the cord extending from the eye of the first needle in the eye of the second needle, withdrawing both needles from the pleats to pull the cord through the pleats, cutting the cord at a point between the eye of the first needle and the bag, and securing together the two ends of the resultant length of cord.

3. The method of inserting a draw cord in a prefabricated bag, comprising the steps of gathering the material of one side wall of the ba adjacent its mouth into a set of pleats, gathering the material of the opposite side wall of the bag adjacent its mouth to form a second set of pleats, thrusting a needle having an eye adjacent its point and threaded with a cord through the first set of pleats, thrusting a second needle having an eye adjacent its point through the second set of pleats, then threading the end of the cord extending from the eye of the first needle in the eye of the second needle, withdrawing both needles from the pleats to pull the cord through the pleats, cutting the cord at a point between the eye of the first needle and the bag, and stapling together the two ends of the resultant length of cord.

4. Apparatus for inserting a draw cord in a bag, comprising a support, a pleating device mounted on said support for gathering portions of the material of a bag adjacent its mouth into two sets of pleats, and a needle unit mounted on said support adjacent the pleating device, said unit comprising two needles each having eyes adjacent their points, means mounting said needles for movement on said support into and out of the respective sets of pleats, and means mounted on said support intermediate the pleating device and needle unit for securing together .15 the ends of a cord inserted'into' said pleats by 'saldneedles. 1

Apparatus for inserting a draw cord in a bag, comprising a support, a pleating device mounted on said support for gathering portions oi thematerial of a bag adjacent its mouth into two sets of pleats, and a needle unit mounted on said support adjacent the pleating device, said unit comprising two needles each having eyes adjacent their points, means mounting said needles for movement on said support into and out of the respective sets of pleats, and a cord cutting and fastening device mounted on said support intermediate the pleating device and needle unit for cutting a cord inserted into said pleats by said needles subsequent to movement of the needles out of the pleats, and for fastening together the ends of the resultant length of cord. 6. Apparatus for inserting a draw cord in a bag, comprising a support, a pleating device mounted on said support for gathering portions of the material of a bag adjacent its mouth into two sets of pleats, and a needle unit mounted on said sl pport adjacent the pleating device, said unit comprising two needles each having eyes adjacent their points, means mounting said needies for movement-on said support into and out of-the respective sets of pleats, and a cord cutting and stapling device mounted on said Support intermediate the pleating device and needle unit for substantially simultaneously cutting a cord inserted into said pleats by said needles subsequent to movement of the needles out of the pleats, and stapling together the ends of the resultant length of cord.

7'. Apparatus for inserting a draw-cord in a bag, comprising a support, a pleating device mounted on said support including means mova ble from a retracted position to a pleating position for pleating opposite side walls of a. bag adjacent its mouth, means under control of an operator for moving said pleating means to pleatins; position and releasable to retract the pleating means, a pair of needles mounted on said support for movement toward and away from 45 the pleating device and positioned to be thrust through the respective pleated side walls of the bag, means on the support coupled to the needles for moving them, means controlling said needlemoving means ,for causing movement of the nee- 50 dies toward the pleating device in response to completion of movement of said pleating means to pleating position, andfor causing movement of the needles away from the pleating device in response to release of said operator-controlled 55 means and prior to retracting movement of the pleating means, a cord cutting and fastening device on said support adjacent the pleating de- Vice and in line with the path of the needles for cutting a cord inserted into the bag by the needles subsequent to movement of the needles away from the pleating device; and for fastening together the ends of the resultant length of cord.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, further,

including means for actuating the cutting and fastening device in response to movement of the needles away from the pleating device.

QQApparatus for inserting a draw cord in a bag, comprising a support, a pleating device mounted on said support including means movajblefrom a retracted position to a pleating position for pleating opposite side walls of 'a bag adjacent its mouth, means under control of an operator for moving said pleating means to pleat- 16' r ing position and releasable to retract the. pleate ing means, a pair of needles mounted on said support for movement toward and away'from the pleating device and positioned. to be thrust through the respective pleated side Walls of the bag, means on the'support coupled to the-needles for moving them, means controlling said needle-moving means for causing movement of the needles toward" the pleating, device in response to completion of movement of said pleat ing means to pleating position; and for causing movement of the needles away from the pleating device in response tov release of said operatorcontrolled'means and prior to retracting move- 'ment of the pleating'means, both needles having eyes adjacent their: points and one needle being hollow for passage of. a cord therethrough. 10. Apparatus for inserting a draw cord in a bag, comprising a support, a pleating device mounted on said support including meansmovable froma retracted position to a pleating posi- 'tion for. pleating opposite side. walls of a ba adjacent its mouth, means under control of an operator for moving said pleating means to pleating position and releasable to retract the pleating meanaa pairof needles mounted on; said support for movement toward and away from the pleating j device and positioned to. be. thrust through the respective pleated side walls of the bag, means on the support coupled to the needies for moving them, means controlling said needle-movingmeans for causing movement of. the needles toward the pleating device in rebeing engageablev with fixed stops at both limits of travel of the needle .for releasing it.

11. Apparatus for inserting .a draw cord in a s omp ising a support, a pleating device mounted on said support having two sets of pleating pins movable with respect to two sets of fixed pleating pins for pleating opposite side walls of a bag adjacent its mouth, means under control of an operator for moving said movable pins to'pleati-ng position and releasable to retract them, a pair ofv needles mounted on. said support for movement toward and away from the p e ng device and positioned to be thrust through the. respective pleated side walls of the 7 bag, means on the support coupledto the needles for moving them, and'means controlling said needle moving means for causing movement of the needles. toward the pleating devicein re-' sponse to completion of movement of said movable pins to pleating position, and for causing movement of the needles away from the pleating device in response-to release of said operatorcontrolled means and prior to retracting-move ment of the movable pins. and a cord cutting and stapling device on'said support adjacent the pleating device and in. line with the pa h of the needles for. cutting .a cord inserted into the bag by the needles subsequent to movement of the needles away from the pleating device, and for stapling together the ends of the resultant length of cord, and means for actuating the cutting and stapling device in responseto movement of the 7 needles away from the pleating deuice,

12. Apparatus for inserting a draw cord in a bag, comprising a support, a pleating device mounted on said support having two sets of pleating pins movable with respect to two sets of fixed pleating pins for pleating opposite side walls of a bag adjacent its mouth, an expansible chamber type fluid motor coupled to the movable pleating pins for moving them between a retracted position and a pleating position, a pair of needles mounted on said support for movement toward and away from the pleating device and positioned to be thrust through the respective pleated side walls of the bag, an expansible chamber type fluid motor coupled to the needles for moving them, a cord cutting and stapling device on said support adjacent the pleating device and in line with the path of the needles for cutting a cord inserted into the bag by the needles subsequent to movement of the needles away from the pleating device and for stapling together the ends of the resultant length of cord, an expansible chamber type fluid motor coupled to the cutting and stapling device for operating it, operator-controlled valve means controlling the pinmoving actuable to cause the motor to move the pins from retracted position to pleating position and releasable to permit the motor to retract the pins, valve means controlling the needlemoving motor and controlled by the pin-moving motor to cause the needle-moving motor to move the needles toward the pleating device in response to completion of movement of the movable pins to pleating position and to cause the needle-moving motor to move the needles away from the pleating device in response to release of the operator-controlled valve means, and valve means controlling the cord cutting and stapling motor and controlled by the needle-moving n10- tor to cause the cord cutting and stapling motor to actuate the cord cutting and stapling device in response to movement of the needles away from the pleating device, the valve means for the pin-moving motor also being under control of the needle-moving motor to cause the pin moving motor to retract the movable pleating pins in response to movement of the needles away from the pleating device.

ARTHUR C. EVVER. ROBERT W. HANSE.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenlces are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

